Exertional Leg Pain & Shin Splints

Dr Creaney spends a lot of his time with runners, and has worked with army recruits in the past. ‘Exertional Leg Pain, known as Shin Splints to most people is very common. There are 4 main differential diagnosis for these symptoms:-

Bone Stress Injury / Stress Fracture of Tibia or Fibula

Compartment Syndrome (Anterior Compartment)

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS)

Biomechanical Overload syndrome

Many of these conditions are due to a faulty running pattern. Many novice runners tend to overuse the anterior structures or land with toom uch force on the medial side of the foot. These faults can be fixed with a gait re-eduction programme over 8-12 weeks.